<a href='http://wvgazette.com/section/Sports/2005020727' target='_blank'>St. Albans player accused of hitting opponent in face</a>

Here's a little background on why this story is (will become) a big stink. A St. Albans player was punched in the face when the teams were shaking hands after a game at Beckley a few weeks ago. The player lost a tooth. The offending player from Beckley was suspended for two games. St. Albans officials were very upset. They thought the player's punishment should have been much more severe.

Now a few weeks later, St. Albans' star player has punched an opponent in the face. St. Albans officials have chosen not to suspend him at all. Their perceived hypocrisy has folks howling.

It's a shame for Fletcher. If it wasn't for the previous incident, there would be nothing to this.

This is a load of crap.

Fletcher got in a tussle during a game. He was not only not thrown out of the game, he wasn't called for a flagrant foul, not even any type of foul on the play.

If we are now going to go around and disect every single elbow and forearm shiver that guys give out in the paint and while running down the floor because a couple of jackasses were throwing racial barbs at one another during a game, and the guy who got the short end of it decided to sucker punch the other guy during the post-game handshake, then it is time to flush high school sports down the drain.

I live in St. Albans. Don't know Fletcher. Don't have any allegiance to St. Albans High. But this is rediculous.

=>Presenting the Miami RedThugs.

Herd Swimming Wrote:This is a load of crap.

You are correct sir.

Strategically placed elbows, forearms, and/or "other" intended to intersect with the movement of an opposing player's skeletal and/or muscular structure: that's just "creating space."
Clock stopped fights or sucker punches to the head are one thing, but the rest is just basketball.

Here's more.

<a href='http://www.dailymail.com/news/Sports/2005020836/' target='_blank'>Dragon star disciplined by team after incident</a>